This article presents an enhanced methodology for cutting torque prediction from the spindle motor current, readily available in modern machine tool controllers. This methodology includes the development of the spindle power model which takes into account all mechanical and electrical power losses in a spindle motor for high-speed milling. The predicted cutting torque is further used to identify tangential cutting force coefficients in order to predict accurately the cutting forces and chatter-free regions for milling process planning purposes. The developed model is compared with other studies available in the literature, and it demonstrates significant improvements in terms of the completeness and accuracy achieved. The developed model is also validated experimentally, and the obtained results show good compliance between the predicted and the measured cutting torque. The developed enhanced procedure is very appealing for industrial implementation for cutting torque/force monitoring and tangential cutting force coefficient identification